With a comfortable 8-wicket win (via DLS) at Napier, India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series against New Zealand on Wednesday, 23 January. The visitors reached their revised target of 156 with 209 balls to spare, after an unprecedented sun-induced interruption overshadowed the on-field action.
This was after India bowled the home team out for a paltry 157 in 38 overs. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler, finishing with figures of 4/39 in 10 overs, while seamer Mohammed Shami finished with an excellent 3/19 in six overs. There were also two wickets for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
For their performance in the series opener, Indian cricketers VVS Laxman, RP Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Kaif lauded bowlers Shami, Kuldeep and Chahal.
Suresh Raina too congratulated Shikhar Dhawan –for his unbeaten 75-run knock that helped India reach their target. He also had word of praise for Shami.
Twitterati too celebrated India’s win and the three cricketers’ performances.
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